Welcome to Better Know An Umpire, an effort to educate ourselves on the human elements who have ultimate decision-making power over some 2,500 Major League Baseball games a year. (All cumulative statistics are through the 2011 season, unless otherwise stated.)

Nelson went over to the hitters' side in 2009. ... His his 2009 numbers been at all consistent with the other three seasons, his R/9 would be the lowest of all umpires ... Nelson has an average fuse, compiling a career ejection rate of two percent.

Guys battled their butts off, that's all I know. That's a damn shame. Fucking umpire can't make a right call and get help to get it done. It's a damn shame is what it is. Be stubborn. It's not his job to call the frigging play. Just get help. It's a damn shame is what that is. It's a damn shame.